Texas co-offensive coordinator Major Applewhite admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with a student in 2009. / Brendan Maloney, USA TODAY Sports

by Staff and wire reports, USA TODAY

by Staff and wire reports, USA TODAY

Texas offensive coordinator Major Applewhite acknowledged Friday night that he was disciplined by the university for an inappropriate relationship with a student during the Longhorns' trip to play in the Fiesta Bowl after the 2008 season.

According to a letter from Applewhite's personnel file provided to USA TODAY Sports, athletics director DeLoss Dodds and Applewhite met about the incident on Jan. 30, 2009, and Applewhite was given until two weeks following Feb. 5 of that year to begin meeting with a counselor.

Dodds wrote that in the wake of Applewhite's "inappropriate" conduct in Arizona, Applewhite's salary would be frozen until Jan. 1, 2010, the letter of reprimand would be placed in his personnel file, and that "any misconduct on your part in the future will result in more serious consequences."

Applewhite, a former Longhorns quarterback who is married and one of the most popular assistants on Mack Brown's staff, said in a statement Friday he was embarrassed by the incident. Neither Applewhite nor the school released further details.

"It was a one-time occurrence and was a personal matter," Applewhite said. "Shortly after it occurred, I discussed the situation with DeLoss Dodds. I was upfront and took full responsibility for my actions. This is and was resolved by the university four years ago. Through counsel, I have worked with my wife and the incident is behind us."

Gene Powell, the chairman of the Texas Board of Regents, and system Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa said they learned about the discipline "a short time ago" and their reaction was "great disappointment and sadness."

"At our direction, the General Counsel to the Board has posted notice of a special called meeting of the Board on Sunday afternoon, February 3rd, so that the Board can be fully briefed on issues related to this matter in executive session," Powell and Cigarroa said in a joint statement.

On the agenda are discussions of legal issues related to "individual athletics personnel" and "inappropriate relationships between employees and students".

Dodds called the Jan. 2009 incident "inappropriate," but noted it was also something that happened between consenting adults.

Dodds said the university's legal office looked in the matter.

"Major Applewhite engaged in inappropriate, consensual behavior with an adult student one time during the 2009 Fiesta Bowl activities," Dodds said in a statement, via The Dallas Morning News. "After learning of his behavior later that month, I took immediate action to review the situation. We promptly initiated an inquiry with assistance from the university's Legal Affairs office and other units outside of Athletics. Major admitted his inappropriate conduct and he was disciplined.

"In determining appropriate discipline, we analyze the facts and circumstances surrounding the behavior and its relation to job responsibilities. Major fully accepted his discipline, including counseling. We have high standards for behavior and expect our staff and coaches to adhere to them in all aspects of their lives. I believe that the appropriate discipline was taken in this case."

Texas women's track coach Bev Kearney resigned in January as the school was in the process of firing her for having a relationship with one of her athletes in 2002. In 2011, the university paid $400,000 to a former administrative assistant who complained of sexual harassment by Cleve Bryant, a former top athletic official in the football program.

Though the exact nature and dynamics of Applewhite's relationship with the student are unknown, the University of Texas has a written policy on consensual relationships between staff and students.